Yannick Wetzell (ex ALBA) signs at Happinets

Yannick Wetzell

Akita Northern Happinets (B1 League) signed 29-year-old New Zealander-German international 206cm center Yannick Wetzell (college: SDSU) for the upcoming season. He spent the last three years playing for ALBA Berlin in the German BBL league. Wetzell played in three different competitions that year, allowing him to experience basketball at various levels. In 34 BBL games, he averaged 10.3ppg, 4.6rpg, and 1.3apg last season, earning him the title of League Player of the Week. Additionally, he participated in 28 Euroleague games, where he posted averages of 11.2ppg, 4.4rpg, and 1.6apg.
Wetzell represented New Zealand at the FIBA Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament in Piraeus (Greece) last year. During this event he scored an average of 6 ppg and had 5.5 rpg.
Thanks to pro basketball, he has experienced life on three different continents. He is familiar with European, Australian, and of course North American leagues. Wetzell has played professionally in Australia (Breakers and Phoenix) and Spain (Baskonia).
He has won several awards during his career, including playing in the final of the German League in 2024. In 2022, he was selected to the Australiabasket.com All-Australian NBL Honorable Mention team.
Wetzell graduated from San Diego State University in 2020 and it will be his sixth season in pro basketball. He played for other colleges like Vanderbilt University, Saint Mary's University, and Texas.


Tags : YANNICK WETZELL, AKITA NORTHERN HAPPINETS, JAPANESE BASKETBALL, JAPANESE TRANSACTIONS